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telford dorr Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2009 Posts: 3555 Location: San Diego (Encinitas)
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Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2020 12:08 pm Post subject: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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It's not from a VW site, but here's a link some of you that like to build their own tools may find interesting:
http://www.ourdigitalmags.com/publication/?m=45623&i=567450&p=24 _________________ '71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) |
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tasb The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 6371 Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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I think the reason you're not getting much response is that the copy of the website is too small to read comfortably and I wasn't able to find a way to enlarge it.
While it may be less than $100 to build one of these it is a fair amount of work time assembling the parts and setting it up.
This reply will bump it to the top. _________________ Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse |
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telford dorr Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2009 Posts: 3555 Location: San Diego (Encinitas)
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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tasb wrote: |
I think the reason you're not getting much response is that the copy of the website is too small to read comfortably and I wasn't able to find a way to enlarge it. |
Mouse around until the top and bottom bars appear. Click on the three dots in the lower right corner. One of the options is "print".
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While it may be less than $100 to build one of these it is a fair amount of work time assembling the parts and setting it up. |
True. But some people have more time than money (especially compared to the price of a real Sun distributor machine), and some people just like to build things. I thought those people might be inspired by it.
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This reply will bump it to the top. |
Thanks. It was a transfer from the Bay forum, so it appeared low down in this forum. Was afraid it would get lost... _________________ '71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
In theory, theory works in practice; in practice, it doesn't - William T. Harbaugh
When you're dead, you don't know you're dead. The pain is only felt by others.
Same thing happens when you're stupid. - Philippe Geluck
More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) |
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Alstrup Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2007 Posts: 7215 Location: Videbaek Denmark
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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It is also only interesting if you want to bring the distributor back to factory specs basicly.
I have a Sunnen distributor tester, but I think it has been at least 10 if not 15 years since I used it. I found that it is much faster to do it on the engine when you learn what the engine wants, which is often somewhat different from some factory set up.
I have of course done it so often that I have a general idea about what the engine wants, so my basic setting is done even before the engine is started. That saves some time. _________________ https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=435993 |
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tasb The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 6371 Location: Pentwater, Michigan
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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My findings agree with both statements _________________ Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76935 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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Alstrup wrote: |
I have of course done it so often that I have a general idea about what the engine wants |
Most people don't know.
Anyone can buy a distributor machine, knowing how to use it is where the real value is. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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Culito 11010101
Joined: December 07, 2006 Posts: 5866 Location: Columbia Missourah
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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I like gadgetry and data, so thanks for the link! _________________ Copyright CJ Industries, Inc.
'64 standard w/2.0L type 4
'62 bug
johnnypan wrote: |
...dont pay no attention to Culito,he's a cornhole.. |
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heimlich VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 6609 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:03 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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It's a nice idea.
As the guy said, every car is it's own distributor machine.
Too bad King disappeared. I would have liked to of bought one of theirs. _________________ www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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Lingwendil Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 3988 Location: Antioch, California, a block from the hood
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vintagemx0 Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2005 Posts: 427 Location: Portland, Oregon USA
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:23 am Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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I recently measured the advance curve of my distributor using a lathe to spin the dizzy with a magnet on the spindle shift and a hall effect sensor to give a pulse out for each 360 degree rotation. I also tapped a signal out from the points. I fed both signals into an oscilloscope and was able to measure the time between the pulses to derive the angles of advance.
It seems to me that measuring the actual timing (time between events)is a far more accurate way to approach the concept of a distributor machine and that an inexpensive way to do it without an oscilloscope would be to use an Arduino or similar device to measure the timing. The Arduino could display the RPM and perform the math and display the degrees of advance simultaneously on a little LCD screen.
Just a thought on this subject... _________________ Where ever you go, there you are. |
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mondshine Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006 Posts: 2769 Location: The World's Motor Capital
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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I posted this about 7 years ago just to get a rise out of Glenn.
It's "The Poor Man's Sun"
Won't work unless you wear a tie. |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76935 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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Before I got one, I was thinking of making one with a motor and using a degree wheel, timing light w/ tach and 12v battery.
But then I got a great deal on a Sun 600 and the rest is history. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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Lingwendil Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 3988 Location: Antioch, California, a block from the hood
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mondshine Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2006 Posts: 2769 Location: The World's Motor Capital
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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Ling-
I can't remember the issue.
I buy lots of old Popular Science, Popular Mechanics and Mechanix Illustrated magazines at swap meets, etc. I really enjoy reading them.
I'll bet that Glenn starts wearing a tie when he's using his Sun |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76935 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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mondshine wrote: |
I'll bet that Glenn starts wearing a tie when he's using his Sun |
Actually I wear an old Tee shirt, old jeans, apron, respirator and face shield. It can get pretty dusty removing the paint on the cast iron bodies and i'm sure there's lead in the paint that was used in the 1950s. I also have the workshop lined with 5mil plastic sheeting and an exhaust fan in the window.
I'm sure if the EPA saw what I was doing in my basement they'd close me down and declare it a Super Fund site.
BTW, i'm retired and the last time I wore a tie was at my son's wedding 4 years ago. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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vintagemx0 Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2005 Posts: 427 Location: Portland, Oregon USA
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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Check out the salt water rheostat. God, I love old school "can do". _________________ Where ever you go, there you are. |
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FreeBug Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2012 Posts: 4278 Location: deepest, darkest Switzerland
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2020 10:16 am Post subject: Re: "Build a Distributor Tester for Under $100", the man sez... |
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A mini-lathe, a degree wheel photocopy, sized appropriately, and a good strobe light, and you're good. |
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